Tarpon
Scored with a set point value. Tarpon are released without leaving the water, and a helper can assist in knee-deep water.
Native American Sport Fishing Federation
Native anglers on the world stage
NASFF enters Native American anglers in international competition, starting at the 2026 Pan American Surf Fishing Championships in Florida. Year one is one angler. The roster is open to enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribal nations.
Countdown to the opening ceremony
2026 Pan American Surf Fishing Championships
–Days
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Opening ceremony: Thursday, Nov 5 at 7:30 pm Eastern, Capt. Hiram's Resort, Sebastian.
2026Founded
Who we are
A federation of our own
International sport fishing runs on federations. Countries send teams, and each team is backed by an organization that selects athletes, handles entries and builds support. NASFF is that organization for Native American anglers: a delegation of our own, representing enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribal nations.
- Open to enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribal nations
- Athletes chosen on shore-fishing ability and team fit
- Enrollment confirmed privately and never published
- Honest about where we are: year one is one angler
We respect tribal protocols. Before we feature a tribe or its citizens, we ask first.
More about NASFF
What we do
Built for competition
Four jobs, from the first cast to the medal stand.
Compete
We enter Native American anglers in sanctioned international championships, starting with the Pan Americans.
Select
Athletes are chosen on shore-fishing ability with lures, stamina for long sessions, and team fit.
Support
We're lining up sponsors, travel and gear so cost isn't what keeps a qualified angler home.
Document
Every entry is filmed, so the next generation can see exactly what the path takes.
6thPan American Surf Fishing Championship
1stHeld in the United States
4Competition sessions over two days
3Best anglers score for the team
5–8Nov 2026
Sebastian Inlet State Park · Florida
Year one · 2026
One angler and a camera
NASFF's founding entry competes at the 6th Pan American Surf Fishing Championships, the first ever held in the United States. Founding president Robert Jacobo III, an enrolled member of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, fishes as NASFF's first athlete. It's small on purpose: year one proves the pathway.
- WhereSebastian Inlet State Park, Melbourne Beach, Florida
- WhenNovember 5–8, 2026, with competition Nov 7–8
- FormatCatch and release, artificial lures only, four sessions over two days
- HostsUSA Surf Fishing Team, US Angling and the Pan American Sportfishing Federation
Follow the journey
The Florida run is being filmed from travel and practice through all four competition sessions. It's the story of year one, and the invitation to year two.
Follow @nasff_officialThe goal · 2027
A full team for Panama
A full team is where we're headed, not where we are. Panama 2027 is where the team starts to take shape, and we'll only name the anglers we can support.
Entered for 2026One angler
NASFF's founding entry at Sebastian Inlet.
Goal for 2027Three to four
Enough for a team score: each nation's best three anglers count.
Long termRoom to grow
Women's and under-21 spots, as sponsorships allow.
We'd rather send a few well-supported anglers than a big team we can't back.NASFF's roster principle
The road to PanamaGame on the line
Know the targets
Pan Am rules are catch and release with artificial lures only. Fish are measured from the tip of the mouth to the fork of the tail, one point per centimeter, with a 35 cm minimum.
Jacks & trevally
Fast, hard-pulling lure fish that count by length. The beach judge photographs and measures every one.
Sharks
Like tarpon, sharks earn a set point value once the leader is touched, and they're released in the water.
The path
Road to Panama
- 01
Join the interest list
Tell us about you and your fishing. It takes about three minutes, and it isn't a commitment.
- 02
Confirm enrollment
We confirm enrollment privately, one on one. Nothing is published.
- 03
Selection
Anglers are chosen on shore-fishing ability, stamina and team fit. We only name as many as we can support.
- 04
Train and travel
Practice plans, gear lists and passports, with NASFF working sponsorships to cover as much of the cost as it can.
- 05
Fish for NASFF
Selected anglers compete for NASFF at the 2027 Pan American Championships in Panama.
The journey
From one angler to a program
- Sept 2026Federation founded: name, crest, nasff.org and info@nasff.org
- Nov 2026Florida: NASFF's first Pan Am entry, one angler
- Winter 2026–27The Florida film, and the 2027 roster call opens
- 2027Selection criteria published once the tournament details are released
- ThenRoster named, only as big as sponsorships can support
- 2027Panama: NASFF's first multi-angler team
Now
Trade name registration, plus the federation's email, domain and social accounts.
After Florida
Incorporate as an Arizona nonprofit corporation and seat a founding board.
Then
Apply for 501(c)(3) status, so donations are tax-deductible and tribes and companies can fund athletes directly.
FAQ
Questions, answered
Who can join?
Enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribal nations. Men, women and under-21 anglers can all apply. Under-21s must be 11 to 21 on tournament day and travel with a parent or guardian.
How is enrollment confirmed?
Privately, one on one, before anyone is named to a roster. NASFF never publishes enrollment details, and the website never asks for ID documents or enrollment numbers.
Do I need tournament experience?
No. It helps, but what matters most is shore fishing with lures for warm-water game fish, the stamina for two sessions a day, and a team-first attitude.
Can I compete for NASFF in 2026?
Not this year. Registration for Florida closes October 1, and NASFF's 2026 entry is one athlete, its founding president. The roster call is for Panama 2027.
What does it cost to compete?
The athlete entry fee is $399. It covers tournament and park entry, the opening and closing ceremony dinners, lunch on both competition days, and trophies. Travel, lodging, other meals, a Florida fishing license and gear are extra. All in, one angler runs about $8,600 with competition gear, or about $2,000 for an angler who already owns it.
Is NASFF a nonprofit?
Not yet. The plan is an Arizona nonprofit corporation after Florida, then 501(c)(3) status. Until then, donations aren't tax-deductible, and sponsorships are arranged directly with NASFF.
Support & donate
Back the team
Sending one angler, gear included, runs about $8,600
Tribal nations
Share the roster call with your citizens, sponsor an athlete, or host a tryout or clinic.
Businesses & brands
Sponsor an athlete or the team, supply gear, or partner on the film.
Individuals
Pledge any amount, from a $17 fishing license to one athlete's $399 entry.
Panama 2027
Fish for NASFF
If you're an enrolled citizen of a federally recognized tribal nation and you fish, we want to hear from you. The interest form takes about three minutes.
